'He needs to be reset' – Ex-Man Utd youngster banished from his team and ruled out of Europa League clash against Betis

Former Manchester United player Zidane Iqbal has been banished from the Utrecht squad and will be absent for the game against Real Betis in the Europa League on Thursday. Utrecht coach Ron Jans has publicly criticised the midfielder following his return from international duty with Iraq, saying that he needs "a reset" before he will be brought back into the team.

  • Iqbal's dismal time at Utrecht

    Iqbal, after an unsatisfactory tenure at United, left the club in 2023 to join Eredivisie outfit Utrecht. To date, he has featured 47 times for them across all competitions, recording just a single goal. This season, the central midfielder has made five Eredivisie appearances, having returned to the senior team after a brief stint with the reserves as he recovered from a knee operation. His last appearance came against AZ on October 26, and now the player, who started both of the recent World Cup qualifying games against United Arab Emirates, has been removed from the squad ahead of their crucial away game in the Europa League against La Liga side Betis on Thursday. 

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    Utrecht boss outlines why Iqbal has been left out

    Speaking to , Utrecht coach Jans has clarified on his stance about the midfielder. He said: "Zidane then had a bad training week. He has shown little dedication, also around and after the matches. He was in disappointment all the time. You can have that for a day, sometimes for two days, but not longer. It needs to be reset."

    The 67-year-old has not identified a potential return date for the youngster, but it is reportedly said that he might be suspended for more games than the Betis one.

  • Iqbal was frustrated at United too

    Last season, Iqbal had revealed that he was not satisfied at United as well. He secured 35 appearances for the U-21 side but just one for the senior team – a one-minute cameo against Young Boys in the Champions League. He wanted to show his prowess to then-head coach Erik Ten Hag. However, opportunities were hard to come by and he soon opted to accept the Dutch side's offer. 

    "I was supposed to start a cup game against Charlton," he later lamented. "I was in all the shapes and patterns in pre-match training. I was starting as a 10 and Lisandro Martinez came up to me and said: 'Now's your chance'. He talked to me and said: 'All of us are supporting you. Just show yourself, you're a good player. We're going to fight for you, make sure you're ready to fight'. It motivated me and it was nice from him, an aggressive leader in the team, a big player. I got tickets for family and friends to see me. Finally, my chance. Then I got to the stadium, looked at the whiteboard and didn't see my name. I was gutted. Then I thought I'd come off the bench. Nothing. That was the turning point for me. I didn't feel the manager respected me enough to play me."

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    Iqbal feels respected at the national team

    Despite his struggles at club level, Iqbal has enjoyed a more prosperous national team career so far. He has 22 caps to his name and could even secure a place at the World Cup, with Iraq set to face either Bolivia or Suriname in an inter-confederation play-off tie in March to decide whether or not they will be at the tournament in Canada, United States and Mexico.

    Iqbal feels he is valued by the manager, telling : "For Iraq, the manager Graeme Arnold and his assistant, Rene Meulensteen, told me of my importance to the team. They told me to be ready and as soon as we conceded the first goal, the gaffer just pointed at me and said: 'You're coming on'."

    The 22-year-old also reflected on his struggles with injuries that spilled over from last season into this one, adding: "Having no pre-season was tough as that’s where you gain your fitness. So I came back and everyone else had a pre-season and rhythm, while I was trying to pick up minutes. It's tough coming back from injury but I think I'm coming back to myself more. And I think I had a positive impact on the game. I'm just ready to give 100 per cent, whether they need me in the first minute, the last minute, whether I start or I'm off the bench making an impact."

Shohei Ohtani's First Home Run of MLB Season Came With Some Controversy

Shohei Ohtani belted his first home run of the season Wednesday in Tokyo, but it came with some controversy as the announcers, and even Ohtani, weren't sure it should have been a home run after the umpires reviewed it.

Ohtani, who had 54 dingers last season, crushed a ball to right center in the fifth inning of the Dodgers-Cubs game in Japan. At first it looked like it hit off the top of the wall and would be a double, but then umpires quickly motioned that it was a home run. They then reviewed the play and a fan was seen getting a hand on the ball.

Here's how that played out:

Here's how the review process went:

That did look like it might not have made it over the wall if it wasn't for the fan. But it was indeed ruled a home run and it looks like Ohtani is ready for another huge season.

The new Garnacho: Man Utd ready £131m bid to sign the "best in the world"

Big-money transfers certainly haven’t been alien to Manchester United in recent seasons, with the hierarchy forking out a pretty penny on players in the transfer market.

The Red Devils’ transfer record currently sits at £89m, with such a fee being forked out for the signature of Paul Pogba back in the summer of 2016.

However, the club have previously come close to breaking such a record, especially after forking out a deal with £86m for Antony’s signature just a couple of years ago.

The hierarchy have seen first hand that spending big on such players doesn’t equal Premier League success, especially with the Brazilian leaving for just £19m last summer.

That hasn’t stopped the board from wanting to replicate such deals in the upcoming window, with numerous big-money deals touted ahead of the January market.

Man Utd’s hunt for new additions in January

Over the last couple of weeks, United have ramped up their efforts to land Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the Red Devils even entering talks to land the Englishman.

However, a deal would likely be another expensive one, with Sean Dyche’s currently demanding a fee in the region of £100m for his signature in the coming months.

Ruben Amorim’s men aren’t alone in the pursuit for Anderson’s services, as rivals Manchester City have stormed into the race to land the 23-year-old in the near future.

He’s not the only big-money player currently in the Red Devils’ sights, as the hierarchy have identified Real Madrid superstar Vinícius Júnior as a potential transfer target.

According to one Spanish outlet, Amorim’s men are currently preparing a club-record €150m (£131m) bid for the Brazilian, with the forward having just over 18 months left on his deal at the Bernabeu.

They also state that the player himself could be tempted by a move to the Premier League, especially given his recent fall-out with manager Xabi Alonso.

Why United’s £131m target would be Amorim’s next Garnacho

Not all of United’s stars have joined in massive transfers, as seen with winger Alejandro Garnacho, who joined for a minimal fee from Atlético Madrid as a teenager.

The Argentine managed to force himself into the first-team reckoning a couple of years ago, with the youngster registering nine combined goals and assists in his first season as a professional.

His next two seasons with the Red Devils would follow in a similar vein, as the 21-year-old scored 21 times and registered 15 assists – one of the best returns in the first-team squad.

However, it wouldn’t be enough to maintain his future at Old Trafford, as Amorim constantly made an example of him for his attitude issues which resulted in him being frozen out of the squad.

Garnacho would depart the club during the summer, joining Premier League rivals Chelsea in a deal worth a reported £40m – a decent fee given his failures in Manchester.

Despite the sale, Amorim could get his next version of the Argentine in January, especially if the hierarchy sanction a club-record move to land Vinicius.

As previously mentioned, he’s constantly had his own disciplinary issues, with it all coming to a head in the meeting with Barcelona, as the Brazilian reacted furiously to being substituted.

Such issues could lead to his exit from the Bernabeu, potentially leading to a switch to England and finally getting a taste of the greatest division in the world.

However, despite his struggles, he’s managed to impress on the pitch in recent times, with his numbers leading to Thierry Henry labelling him the “best in the world”.

Vinicius Junior – stats in 2025/26

Statistics (per 90)

Tally

Games played

13

Goals & assists

9

Progressive carries

8.9

Progressive passes

4.8

Pass accuracy

80%

Key passes

2.9

Passes into final third

1.9

Take-on success

38%

Carries into final third

2.9

Stats via FBref

Vinicius has already registered nine combined goals and assists in LaLiga this campaign, a tally that would make him the most effective player in Amorim’s current side.

Tallies such as 8.9 progressive carries and his 38% take-one success further highlight the talent he possesses with the ball, potentially having the creative nature to provide those around him with opportunities.

His passing stats also make for excellent reading, with the Brazilian making 2.9 key passes per 90, 1.9 of which going into the final third – arguably making him the perfect all-round attacker.

£131m would be a massive statement of intent from the board, but it’s a deal that would no doubt hand the first-team yet another world-class attacking option.

However, his attitude will certainly need to be watched, especially given the recent decline of Garnacho, with Amorim needing to keep the attackers’ feet firmly on the ground.

Haaland 2.0: Man Utd can sign "one of the best STs in Europe" for £44m

Manchester United could be about to sign a new talisman like Erling Haaland in January.

By
Ethan Lamb

Nov 29, 2025

VIDEO: Max Dowman, that is special! Arsenal sensation scores Mesut Ozil-esque wonder goal in big UEFA Youth League win over Bayern Munich

Arsenal sensation Max Dowman has caught the eye yet again with a sensational effort for the Gunners in a big UEFA Youth League win over Bavarian giants Bayern Munich. The 15-year-old brought back memories of club legend Mesut Ozil with a brilliant solo goal to help seal a 4-2 victory for the north Londoners on Wednesday at Mangata Developments Stadium.

  • Downman scores stunner in Arsenal win

    Dowman finished off Bayern in some style to cap an outstanding performance for Arsenal's Under-19s. The youngster cut in from the right and showed off some outrageous skill to beat three Bayern defenders – including a nutmeg and wonderful pirouette – before keeping his composure to dink the ball over the goalkeeper. The goal was Dowman's second of the game, with Kyran Thompson and Ceadach O'Neill also on target, and capped a fine victory for the Gunners as they picked up their first win of their 2025-26 Youth League campaign in impressive fashion. 

    The 15-year-old wasn't the only youngster to catch the eye during the game. Luis Munoz made history when he arrived as a substitute in the second half. The 13-year-old came on for the final five minutes of the match and became the youngest player ever to feature in the youth competition.

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  • Dowman on the rise at Arsenal

    Dowman's goal against Bayern Munich highlights once again what a talented youngster the Gunners have on their hands. The 15-year-old has already made five first-team appearances this season and became the youngest player to appear in the Champions League when he came off the bench during Arsenal's 3-0 win against Slavia Prague at the age of 15 years and 308 days, breaking the record previously held by ex-Borussia Dortmund starlet Youssoufa Moukoko. Yet Dowman's appearance for the U19s means that he won't be with the senior squad again for their match against Bayern at the Emirates. Both teams head into the fixture with a 100% record so far in the Champions League, meaning something will have to give in north London on Wednesday night.

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  • 'We have a massive player' – Arteta's praise for Dowman

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta spoke glowingly about Dowman after he made his Champions League debut. He told TNT Sports: "It doesn't get any harder than this competition. Max at 15 takes the ball and straight away starts to take people on and win free-kicks. That shows the personality that these kids have. Really happy to see them with us in this journey, and hopefully they will continue to improve. The way he plays, he attracts a lot of contact. He's so good at timing the right moment to move the ball when the opponent makes the next step. We have a massive player there."

Kyle Freeland Had an Emotional Message for Rockies Fans Amid Historically Bad Season

It's not a good time to be a Colorado Rockies fan.

The Rockies own MLB's worst record through the first month-plus of the 2025 campaign, and quite frankly, it's not even close. The team has won just six games through its first 37 contests and owns a stunningly bad run differential of -109.

Colorado dropped both games of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, capping off a series sweep at Coors Field. They were outscored 21–3 throughout the two games.

Kyle Freeland, who drew the start for the first game and surrendered five runs and 11 hits across just three innings, got emotional when addressing the media after the loss. When asked about what he'd say to fans amid the team's historically woeful start to the season, he issued a heartbroken response.

"Keep believing in us," Freeland said, seemingly fighting back tears, before leaving the podium.

Freeland is one of the longest tenured players on Colorado's roster, currently in his ninth season with the organization. Having been with the Rockies since his MLB debut in 2017, he was present for the team's consecutive postseason appearances in '17 and '18. He has also been present for the following seven seasons of mediocre sub-.500 baseball, and it would appear the losses are taking a toll on him.

For reference, the Rockies' 6–31 record equates to a winning percentage of .162. Only one team in MLB history has had a worse winning percentage through a full season: the 1899 Cleveland Spiders who finished the year 20–134. If Colorado can't turn things around quickly, they could find themselves approaching those historic lows come season's end.

Tottenham determined to sign Barcelona star and ready to offer ‘immediate leading role’

Tottenham have expressed a real interest in signing one star from Barcelona ahead of 2026, according to a new report.

Spurs shortlist attacking targets with big-names on the radar

Spurs are preparing significant investment in attackers for January and beyond, with media sources indicating a new forward or two will definitely arrive at the club next year.

Indeed, Thomas Frank’s side have identified multiple targets as they attempt to revive their campaign.

Tottenham have significant funds available for the right acquisition, with the club willing to test the waters for elite talent. The recruitment team, led by co-sporting directors Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange, are expected to prioritise signing a wide forward rather than a central striker, though no final decision has been confirmed as they approach the January window.

Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo remains the primary target, with the Lilywhites now intensifying their interest ahead of January.

The Ghana international has seriously impressed this season with his blistering pace and proficiency, which will definitely appeal to Frank as he seeks to add more creative spark.

Semenyo’s new deal also includes a tempting £65 million release clause which will be active early next month, but this has piqued rumoured interest from the likes of Liverpool and Man City as well.

Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye has emerged as another concrete target, viewed alongside Semenyo as possessing the energy and attacking versatility suited to elevating Tottenham’s forward line.

However, sources indicate Ndiaye is considered more likely as a summer acquisition rather than a January signing.

More ambitious names include Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa.

Tottenham tipped to strike Grealish-like deal for player who'd 'jump' at chance to join

Spurs could get him on loan in January.

By
Emilio Galantini

Dec 5, 2025

Tottenham are believed to be exploring a potential January deal for Rodrygo, who himself would consider a move to north London as he instructs his representatives to find him a new club.

Aghehowa, who’s been in monstrous form since joining Porto from Atlético Madrid in 2024, also has huge admirers at Spurs, amid reports that they’re also prepared to make a winter move for the Spaniard.

Paratici and Lange appear to be drawing up a shortlist of credible attacking targets as the Lewis family look to kickstart a new era post-Daniel Levy, with Barcelona’s Marcus Rashford now also on their radar.

Tottenham 'determined' to sign Barcelona star Marcus Rashford

Rashford finds himself at a career crossroads following his impressive revival at the Camp Nou, with Tottenham now emerging as serious contenders to lure the forward back to the Premier League.

Despite his outstanding form in Spain, Barcelona remain indecisive about the £30 million purchase option in his loan deal from Man United, creating uncertainty that several English clubs are eager to exploit.

His Barça renaissance has persuaded the Calatans’ hierarchy to at least contemplate activating the permanent deal clause, but their precarious financial situation complicates matters.

While the £30 million fee appears affordable on paper, Rashford’s long-term future hangs in the balance, and Spurs could offer him a route to London.

That is according to Spanish media sources, who report that Tottenham have identified Rashford as the ‘ideal’ profile to rejuvenate their attack.

Spanish newspaper AS, as referenced, claim that Spurs are ‘determined’ to sign the 27-year-old and ready to offer him an ‘immediate leading role’ in the team — though any transfer would have to wait until the summer considering he’s still on loan in La Liga.

Rashford’s wages, reported to be around £325,000-per-week, present a pretty major roadblock for Frank’s side, but his proven Premier League experience and versatility would undoubtedly improve the team.

The United academy graduate, during spells of superstardom at Old Trafford, earmarked himself as an England regular before falling out of favour and impressing on loan at Aston Villa last season.

'It was a blockbuster!' – Napoli president aims dig at Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti with claim Antonio Conte's Serie A title win was 'the real' success

Aurelio De Laurentiis has reignited the rivalry with former manager Luciano Spalletti, now at Juventus. The Napoli president claimed the recent Serie A title under Antonio Conte was 'the real Scudetto' compared to the 'obvious' victory secured by his predecessor, insisting the cinematic drama of last season's 'blockbuster' battle made it superior to the dominance of the 2023 campaign.

  • De Laurentiis stirs the pot

    Napoli president De Laurentiis is never one to shy away from controversy, and his latest comments at the have firmly placed the spotlight on the simmering tension between his club and Juventus. With former Napoli hero Spalletti now in the dugout for the Bianconeri, De Laurentiis took the opportunity to draw a sharp comparison between the two managers' achievements in Naples.

    While Spalletti is revered in the city for ending the 33-year wait for a league title in 2023 – their first since 1990, De Laurentiis appeared to downplay the emotional weight of that campaign compared to the club's more recent success under Conte. Napoli have now won two Scudetti in the last three seasons, but for the film mogul president, they are not created equal.

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    'The first one arrived a bit for granted'

    Reflecting on the difference between the two triumphs, De Laurentiis suggested that Spalletti's dominance in the 2022-23 season—where Napoli wrapped up the league with weeks to spare—lacked the cinematic drama of Conte's recent victory. Last season saw Napoli engaged in a brutal, season-long dogfight with Inter, which was only decided in the dying embers of the campaign.

    "The first one arrived a bit for granted, given the path taken from the start," De Laurentiis told the audience, referring to Spalletti's title. "The second, however, is the real Scudetto because we sweated for it until the end.

    "The first one was a bit predictable, given the progress we had made since the beginning," he said. "The second, on the other hand, is the real Scudetto because we fought for it until the very end. It was like a thriller, beautiful and painful. The suspense set the stage for us to enjoy it even more after the decisive victory against Cagliari. The result was a blockbuster film. And we will make another one, about Napoli's 100th anniversary in 2026."

    Spalletti departed the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona immediately after securing that historic 2023 title, initially citing a need for a sabbatical. He subsequently took charge of the Italian national team before making a controversial return to club management with Napoli's fierce northern rivals, Juventus, for the current campaign.

  • The Conte connection

    While his words for Spalletti were tinged with shade, his praise for Antonio Conte was effusive. The current Napoli boss, who restored the club to the summit of Italian football after the difficult post-Spalletti transition, shares a close personal bond with the president. De Laurentiis revealed that their relationship stretches back years, long before Conte took the reins at the Maradona.

    "We always talk, we are two friends," De Laurentiis explained. "I met Antonio in the Maldives many years ago, we swam together and talked a lot. I still didn't chew football perfectly back then and so I listened to him with interest and passion."

    What struck De Laurentiis most was Conte's relentless mentality—a trait that was crucial in edging out Inter in last season's title race.

    "I liked hearing a man who had already won so much and was not demotivated by success," he added. "He never lost his hunger and this impressed me immediately."

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    A tale of two titles

    The comparison highlights the differing natures of Napoli's modern success. Spalletti's side was celebrated for its aesthetic beauty, blowing teams away with a brand of free-flowing football that captivated Europe and saw them finish 16 points clear of second-placed Lazio. The title was mathematically secured with five games to spare, turning the final month of the season into a city-wide party.

    In contrast, Conte's Napoli – grittier, more pragmatic, and built in the image of their manager – had to fight for every point. The reference to the "decisive victory against Cagliari" points to the climax of a nerve-wracking run-in where Napoli held their nerve against a relentless Inter chasing pack. For a showman like De Laurentiis, the "thriller" narrative of a last-gasp victory clearly holds more value than the serene dominance of 2023.

    The comments add extra spice to the next headline showdown between Napoli and Juventus in late-January. With Spalletti coaching the men in black and white of Turin and Conte looking to defend his hard-fought crown, the battle lines have been drawn. De Laurentiis has set the stage for a sequel to his "blockbuster," but Spalletti will be determined to prove that his own managerial script still has a few twists remaining.

Reds Starter Andrew Abbott Gives Honest Reaction to All-Star Game Snub

Andrew Abbott had a pretty blunt reaction to not being selected to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

So far in 15 starts this season, the 26-year-old lefty is 7–1 with a 2.15 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and 78 strikeouts against 22 walks in 83 2/3 innings. He has been excellent. When asked about not making the National League All-Star team, he was honest.

"It's not frustration, those guys that got picked deserved it, by far," Abbott said. "I mean, I think I did enough to deserve it, but at the end of the day, I don't control it, so I don't put a lot on it."

He added that he would be prepared to go to the game if another pitcher happens to drop out.

His full response is below.

The advanced metrics don't favor Abbott's case for including as much as traditional stats do. His fWAR of 1.9 ranks 18th among NL pitchers, and his xFIP of 4.11 would rank 25th if he had thrown enough innings to qualify. Those numbers might have something to do with his snub.

The Hundred scenarios: Three teams eye men's final, four women's teams fight for two spots

What the teams in contention need to do to stay alive in the men’s and women’s competitions

Sampath Bandarupalli25-Aug-2025

Men’s tournament

Invincibles, favourites to confirm their place in the final, have a chance at a three-peat due to their superior net run rate. Rockets and Superchargers will now hope Invincibles go down against London Spirit on Monday.It will, however, be difficult for both to go past Invincibles on net run rate (NRR) as the current table-toppers are ahead of Rockets by about 180 runs and further 20-odd runs against Superchargers. Rockets have an edge of about 20 runs on NRR over Superchargers, and playing on a later date will help them determine their equation if Spirit can take down Invincibles.Oval Invincibles are currently on top of the men’s Hundred table•Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Women’s tournament

Northern Superchargers – Wins 5, Points 20Superchargers are clear of every team barring Brave by at least four points, and their net run rate is second only to Brave, at 1.027. But that doesn’t guarantee them a place in the Eliminator. If they lose their last match against Manchester Originals, they could go down to fourth, behind Spirit and Originals.But their strong net run rate could give them a chance to stay in the tournament, as they will have to lose by at least 58 runs to fall behind Originals (assuming Originals bat first and score 140). Superchargers will be safe if Spirit do not win big enough against Invincibles.If Spirit win by 40 runs after making 140 while batting first, Superchargers can afford to lose by 70 runs (if Originals scored 140) and stay ahead of them on net run rate.Related

  • Alana King's three keeps Trent Rockets' slim hopes alive

  • Root 64* soothes Rockets nerves to book top-three finish

  • Phoenix triumph over Originals on awkward Old Trafford pitch

London Spirit and Manchester Originals – Wins 4, Points 16Spirit and Originals are tied on 16 points and separated by only about three runs on NRR. If both win their respective last matches, the team with the bigger win will end up in Saturday’s Eliminator.Both could end up facing each other on Saturday if they secure heavy wins and topple Superchargers’ strong NRR. And if both lose, Rockets, currently fifth in the table, will qualify.But if Rockets also lose, then the team that loses narrowly between Spirit and Originals will qualify. Spirit have a cushion of three runs on net run rate over Originals now, but Originals have the advantage of playing later and knowing what to do.Trent Rockets – Wins 3, Points 12Rockets face Birmingham Phoenix on Wednesday, but to stay in the competition, they will need the results of the two preceding matches to go in their favour: Invincibles defeating Spirit on Monday and Superchargers winning against Originals.If they beat Phoenix on Wednesday, they will finish third, surpassing both Spirit and Originals on net run rate. Rockets are behind Spirit by only around 12 runs and approximately nine runs behind Originals.Even if both Spirit and Originals lose narrowly in their respective matches, their net run rate will fall, that Rockets won’t need to stress about their winning margin.

Like Ward-Prowse: West Ham dud who's "not good enough" is on borrowed time

Things are starting to look a little more positive for West Ham United at the moment.

Granted, they lost their last game and currently sit in the Premier League relegation zone, but the performances under Nuno Espírito Santo have been far better.

Moreover, the club would not have fought back so valiantly for a point against Everton under Graham Potter.

However, there is still plenty the manager needs to do, such as phasing out an international ace in the same way he did James Ward-Prowse.

Why Ward-Prowse's West Ham career is over

It might seem a little over the top to say that a player’s time is up at a club when there are two years left to run on his contract.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

However, the unfortunate reality for Ward-Prowse is that, if he wants to play regular football at any point over the next two seasons, he needs to leave West Ham, as it’s clear he won’t be doing that under Nuno.

After all, the Portuguese coach’s first action after taking the job was to leave him out of the squad entirely for the game against Everton and then do the same again for last weekend’s game against Arsenal.

It might sound harsh, and maybe it is a little, but it’s also not much of a surprise, as after joining Nottingham Forest on loan at the start of last season, the manager did the same to him there, so much so that his loan was cut short.

It’s hard to blame the manager too much, either, as while he’s a talented player with an impressive CV, the former Southampton captain has been well below par for the Hammers.

Ward-Prowse’s game vs Palace

Minutes

90′

Goals

0

Assists

0

Touches

61

Accurate Passes

41/48 (85%)

Crosses (Accurate)

5 (1)

Shots on Target

0

Ground Duels (Won)

6 (1)

Aerial Duels (Won)

3 (0)

Lost Possession

14

Fouls

3

Dribbled Past

2

All Stats via Sofascore

For example, in Potter’s final game, against Crystal Palace, he somehow managed to lose the ball 14 times, lost eight of nine duels, misplaced four of five crosses and committed three fouls.

At the end of the day, it would be best for all parties if Ward-Prowse left the club in January, which could be said about another West Ham star who has been a big disappointment since joining the club.

The West Ham star who should be on borrowed time

While you could make the case for other West Ham players, such as Konstantinos Mavropanos, receiving the Ward-Prowse treatment, the international in question is Niclas Füllkrug.

There was quite a bit of hope when the German joined the club last summer, as he was coming off a season in which he scored 15 goals and provided ten assists in 43 appearances for Borussia Dortmund.

Moreover, he had just played in the Euros for Germany, so while nobody expected Erling Haaland numbers, they did expect a reliable if unspectacular striker.

Unfortunately, the Hammers got the latter without the former, and as things stand today, it’s hard to see where his next goal comes from.

For example, in 27 games for the East Londoners, totalling 1262 minutes, the 32-year-old has scored just three goals and provided two assists, which comes out to a goal involvement every 5.4 games, or every 252.4 minutes.

Füllkrug’s West Ham career

Season

24/25

25/26

Appearances

20

7

Minutes

877′

385′

Goals

3

0

Assists

2

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.25

0.00

Minutes per Goal Involvement

175.4′

N/A

All Stats via Transfermarkt

Worse still, all five of his goal involvements for the club came last season, with him drawing a blank in all eight appearances this season.

With numbers like this, and performances like the one he put in against Everton, in which he lost the ball nine times, lost 50% of his ground duels and ten of his 14 aerial duels, it’s easy to understand why Gabby Agbonlahor said he’s “not a good enough player” to represent the Irons.

Therefore, Nuno should take him out of the team entirely now and either play the slightly less poor Callum Wilson, or be bold and go with Callum Marshall or Josh Landers.

Ultimately, Füllkrug clearly isn’t good enough to play in the Premier League, so he should be sold as soon as possible during the winter window.

West Ham ace who's "pure joy to watch" could become Nuno's new Gibbs-White

The international star could be the secret to helping Nuno get more out of West Ham this season.

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By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Oct 10, 2025

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